Chair with adjustable seat height

ABSTRACT

A chair with adjustable chair top height is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the chair has legs of a first height that attach to a chair top. Additionally, a set of leg extenders is provided that is adapted to be positioned between the chair top and the legs in order to position the chair top at a second, greater height relative to the surface on which the chair is positioned. Alternatively, an apron may be employed instead of or in addition to the set of leg extenders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a chair with an adjustableheight seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to anadjustable height seat where the consumer may determine the height ofthe seat by including or not including one or more components to adjustthe height of the seat top past the height of the seat legs.

Tables are in wide use by consumers in a variety of applications andsettings, including in private and commercial settings. Consumers maypurchase seats of different heights according to their needs and wishes,although most consumers are currently limited by the seat heightsoffered by manufacturers. The desired height of a seat may varydepending upon a number of factors, including, but not limited to, thespace the seat will be used in, the height of the consumers using theseat, the purpose of the seat, the style of seat and/or the style of theenvironment in which the seat will be used. Because seats are socommonly used, it is frequently the case that a seat may be purchasedfor one use or setting, but then the consumer may wish to use the sameseat for a different use or in a different setting. In changing thepurpose or setting of the seat, it is likely that the consumer may wishto change the height of the seat. Additionally, a change in ownership ofthe seat or a number of other factors, including a change in décor, maycause the consumer to wish to change the seat height.

Typically if a consumer wishes to have a seat of a new height, theconsumer must cut an existing seat to a smaller height or must get a newseat of the new desired height. A typical consumer cannot raise theheight of a seat his or herself. Furthermore, a typical consumer isunable to easily lower the height of the seat by cutting the seat legs.This is especially true in light of the variety of seat constructionswhich involve ornamental or complicated bases.

In order to reduce the cost to consumers and to increase flexibility ininterior and exterior decorating, it may be desirable to have a seatthat allows the consumer to easily adjust the height of the seat, eitherlower or greater, as they wish.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a chair with anadjustable height seat. The height may be adjusted by the inclusion orexclusion of a set of components that may be fastened to the legs orbase of the chair to adjust the height of the chair. The components maybe embodied as the leg extenders, an apron, or some other form that fitsinto the structure of the chair. The components may be easily attachedto, or removed from, the chair as the consumer desires in order toadjust the height of the chair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a base of an exemplaryadjustable chair according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view and a top view of the adjustable heightchair as assembled with the leg extenders installed between the chairtop and legs.

FIG. 3 illustrates the complete chair with adjustable seat height.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative adjustable chair base that employs aremovable apron.

FIG. 5 illustrates the adjustable height chair as assembled with theapron installed between the chair top and legs.

FIG. 6 illustrates the complete alternative chair with adjustable seatheight.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative adjustable height chair according toan embodiment of the invention, where the adjustable height chairemploys both leg extenders and a removable apron.

FIG. 8 illustrates three alternative configuration options for theadjustable height chair.

FIG. 9 illustrates the adjustable height chair of FIG. 7 as assembledwith the apron installed between the chair top and leg extenders, andthe get extenders installed between the apron and legs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a base of an exemplaryadjustable chair 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. Thatis, the base of the chair 100 includes a chair top 110, a set of chairlegs 120, a set of leg extenders 130 and a leg support element 140.Further, each chair leg 120 includes a leg insert aperture 125preferably at the top of the leg 120. Each of the leg extenders 130includes a leg extender insert element 132 and a leg extender insertaperture 135. The chair top 110 includes a plurality of chair top insertelements 112. Each chair leg 120 includes at least one leg fasteneraperture 127. Each of the leg extenders 130 includes at least one legextender fastener aperture 137.

The chair top 110 includes a lower support element 114, a top supportelement 116, a support connector 115 and cross-supports 118. The lowersupport element 114 is connected to the support connectors 115, which inturn are connected to the top support element 116. The cross-supports118 are preferably connected to the top support element 116.

The chair top insert elements 112 are adapted to fit into both the legextender insert apertures 135 and the leg insert apertures 125, and maybe secured using leg extender fastener aperture 137 or leg fasteneraperture 127. The chair top 110 is thus able to be positioned at avertical height either directly above the chair legs 120 or directlyabove the leg extenders 130, which are in turn positioned at a verticalheight above the chair legs 120.

In operation, in order to position the adjustable height chair with thechair top at a first height or vertical position relative to the surfaceon which the chair is positioned, the user proceeds as follows. First,the chair top insert elements 112 of the chair top 110 are introducedinto the leg insert apertures 125 of each of the legs 120. Next, thechair top insert elements 112 are fastened into the leg insert apertures125 of the legs 120 using the leg fastener apertures 127.

Alternatively, if the user desires to position the chair top 110 at asecond, greater height relative to the surface on which the chair ispositioned, the user proceeds as follows. First, the chair top insertelements 112 may be inserted instead into the leg extender insertapertures 135, and the chair top insert elements 112 may be fastened tothe leg extenders 130 using the leg extender fastener apertures 137.Next, the leg extender insert elements 132 may in turn be inserted intothe leg insert apertures 125. Further, the leg extenders 130 may in turnbe fastened to the legs 120 using the leg fastener apertures 127.Consequently, the vertical height of the chair top 110 relative to thesupporting surface on which the adjustable height chair is positioned isincreased by the height of the leg extenders 130.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view 200 and a top view 250 of the adjustableheight chair as assembled with the leg extenders 130 installed betweenthe chair top 110 and legs 120. The leg fastener apertures 127 and legextender fastener apertures 137 are also shown. More specifically, bolts210 have been inserted into the leg fastener apertures 127 and legextender fastener apertures 137 to affix the chair top 110 to the legextenders 130 and to affix the leg extenders 130 to the legs 120.

Although the exemplary chair in FIGS. 1-2 employs a leg set 120 whichincludes four legs, a greater or lesser number of legs may be employed,and the leg set 120 may alternatively include a single base leg. Also,although FIG. 1 shows legs that curve near the base, straight legs orlegs of other configurations may be employed. Furthermore, while FIGS.1-2 shows rectangular legs and rectangular leg extenders, the legs andleg extenders may be any shape, including, for example, cylindricaland/or oval. Each of the legs and/or leg extenders may be of differentshapes from one another. The legs and/or leg extenders may also includeornamentation. Additionally, the set of several leg extenders may bereferred to as a leg extender set.

Additionally, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows thechair top insert elements, the leg extender insert elements, the legextender aperture and the leg aperture to be square or rectangular, theymay be any shape, including, for example, round.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 employs legextenders that are preferably four inches in height, the height of theleg extenders may vary as desired. In addition, although the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 1 employs legs that are preferably 17 inches inheight and a chair top that is preferably 5 inches in height, the heightof the legs and/or the chair top may vary as desired.

Additionally, more that one set of leg extenders may be employed. In afirst example, the chair 100 may be shipped with two sets of legextenders. The first set of legs extenders may have a first length, suchas 4 inches for example, and the second set of leg extenders may have asecond length such as 6 inches for example. In this embodiment, if theuser desires the height of the chair top to be increased upward by 4inches, the user installs the first set of leg extenders. Conversely, ifthe user desires the height of the chair top to be increased upward by 6inches, the user installs the second set of leg extenders.

In a second example of an embodiment that is shipped with two sets ofleg extenders, the leg extenders may cooperate to provide a third, evengreater height adjustment for the chair top. For example, the first setof leg extenders may have a height of 4 inches and the second set of legextenders may have a height of 2 inches. If the user desires the heightof the chair top to be increased by 2 inches, then the user installsonly the second set of leg extenders. However, if the user desires theheight of the chair top to be increased by 4 inches, then the userinstalls only the first set of leg extenders. In addition, if the userdesires the height of the chair top to be increased by 6 inches, thenthe user first installs the first set of leg extenders, and theninstalls the second set of leg extenders on top of the first set of legextenders.

Also, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows the legextenders as being positioned at the top of the legs, the leg extendersmay alternatively be located anywhere along the vertical height of thelegs. For example, especially in an embodiment wherein the legs arestraight, the leg extenders may be alternatively located at the bottomof the legs.

In addition, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows achair top insert element 112 which is introduced into either a legextender insert aperture 135 or a leg insert aperture 125, the insertand aperture may be reversed, meaning the chair top may have a chair topinsert aperture rather than a chair top insert element, and the legextender insert may be introduced into the chair top insert aperture.Furthermore, the chair legs 120 may have a leg insert instead of a leginsert aperture 125, where the leg insert is introduced into the legextender insert aperture. Any of the embodiments discussed above mayalso be reversed.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 shows two legextender fastener apertures 137 on each leg extender 130, there may beany number of leg extender fasteners, such as one or three, for example.Additionally, there may be any number of leg fasteners on each of thelegs, such as one or three, for example. Also, it is not necessary foreach leg and/or leg extender to have the same number of fasteners. Also,where the inserts and apertures have been reversed, as described above,the chair top insert aperture may have chair top fasteners.

Alternatively, the leg set and/or the leg extenders may not contain anyfasteners. For example, the insert elements may simply be introducedinto insert apertures and may remain there under the force or gravity orfriction.

Further, although the chair top 110 in the exemplary chair in FIGS. 1-2includes a bottom support element 114, a top support element 116, asupport connector 115 and cross-supports 118, the chair top 110 mayinclude fewer or more elements. For example, the chair top 110 mayinclude only a top support element.

FIG. 3 illustrates the complete chair with adjustable seat height 300.As shown in FIG. 3, the complete chair 300 includes the chair top 110,the set of chair legs 120, and the set of leg extenders 130.Additionally, a seat 310 and chair back 320 are shown, as well as boltholes 330.

The seat 310 is preferably connected to the chair top 110. For example,the seat 310 may be connected to the top support element 116 orcross-supports 118 of the chair top 110. The chair back 320 ispreferably also connected to either the chair top 110 directly or to theseat 310.

In operation, the chair base including the chair top 110, chair legs120, and leg extenders 130 is assembled as described above. Then, theseat 310 is positioned on top of the cross-supports 118 of the chair top110 and the seat 310 is bolted to the cross supports 118 by placingbolts through the bolt holes 330 and matching bolt holes on the seat310. The chair back 320 may then be directly connected to the chair top110.

Alternatively, the chair back 320 may be connected to the seat 310 priorto connecting the seat 310 to the chair top 110.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative adjustable chair base 400 that employsa removable apron. The apron is a structure, used for design or support,located below the chair top. The chair base 400 includes a chair top410, a set of legs 420, a removable apron 430, and a leg support element440. The chair top 410 includes a cross-support 418 and a plurality ofchair top fastener apertures on the bottom of the chair top. The legs420 include leg fastener apertures 422. The removable apron 430 includesa set of apron-leg fastener apertures and a set of apron-table topfastener apertures 432.

In operation, if the user desires to position the chair top at a firstvertical height, then the user positions the chair top fastenerapertures in proximity to the leg fastener apertures 422 and then passesfasteners through both the chair top fastener apertures and the legfastener apertures 422 to fasten the chair top 410 to the legs 420.

Alternatively, if the user desires to position the chair top at asecond, greater vertical height, the user positions the chair topfastener apertures in proximity to the apron-table top fastenerapertures 432 and then passes fasteners through both the chair topfasteners apertures and the apron-table top fastener apertures 432 tofasten the chair top 410 to the apron 430. The user then positions theapron-leg fastener apertures in proximity to the leg fastener apertures422 and then passes fasteners through both the apron-leg fastenerapertures and leg fastener apertures 422 to fasten the apron 430 to thelegs 420.

FIG. 5 illustrates the adjustable height chair as assembled 500 with theapron 430 installed between the chair top 410 and legs 420. Also shownare the fasteners 427 installed though both the apron-leg fastenerapertures and the leg fastener apertures 422. Additionally, thefasteners 437 installed through both the chair top fastener aperturesand the apron-table top fastener apertures 432 are also shown.

Similar to the exemplary embodiment above with regard to the legextenders, although the exemplary chair in FIGS. 4-5 employs four legs,a greater or lesser number of legs may be employed, such as three legsfor example. Also, although FIGS. 4-5 show legs that curve near thebase, straight legs or legs of other configurations may be employed.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 employs an apronthat is preferably five inches in height and legs that are preferably 21inches in height and a chair top that is preferably 14 inches indiameter, the height of the apron and/or legs and/or the diameter of thechair top may vary as desired,. Additionally, more that one apron may beemployed.

Also, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 shows the apron asbeing positioned at the top of the legs, the apron may alternatively belocated anywhere along the vertical height of the legs. For example, theapron may be alternatively located at the bottom of the legs.

Further, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 showsapron-table top fastener apertures, apron-leg fastener apertures, anyother desired way of securing the chair top to either the apron or legs,and/or securing the apron to the legs may be used, including the use ofa chair top insert 112 and an apron insert aperture, an apron insert anda chair top insert aperture, an apron insert aperture and a leg insert,or an apron insert and a leg insert aperture 125.

Additionally, an alternative adjustable chair may employ both legextenders as shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-2 and an apron as shownin the embodiment of FIGS. 4-5 as further described below.

FIG. 6 illustrates the complete alternative chair with adjustable seatheight 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the complete chair 600 includes thechair top 410, the set of chair legs 420, and the set of leg extenders430. Additionally, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 above, theseat 310 and chair back 320 are shown, as well as bolt holes 330.

The seat 310 is preferably connected to the chair top 410. For example,the seat 310 may be connected to the cross-supports 418 of the chair top410. The chair back 320 is preferably also connected to either the chairtop 410 directly or to the seat 310.

In operation, the chair base including the chair top 410, chair legs420, and leg extenders 430 is assembled as described above. Then, theseat 310 is positioned on top of the cross-supports 418 of the chair top410 and the seat 310 is bolted to the cross supports 418 by placingbolts through the bolt holes 330 and matching bolt holes on the seat310. The chair back 320 may then be directly connected to the chair top410.

Alternatively, the chair back 320 may be connected to the seat 310 priorto connecting the seat 310 to the chair top 410.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative adjustable height chair 700 accordingto an embodiment of the invention, where the adjustable height chair 700employs both leg extenders and a removable apron. FIG. 7 shows a chairtop 710, a removable apron 730, leg extenders 750, a set of chair legs720, and a leg support element 740. The chair top 710 includes an aproninsert 732 and a chair top cross-support 734. The removable apron 730includes an apron cross-support, a top support 716, a bottom support714, a support connector 715, and a chair top insert 712. The legextenders 750 include leg extender fasteners 757, a leg extender insertelement 732 and a leg extender insert aperture 735. The legs 720 includea leg insert aperture 725 and leg fastener apertures 727.

The chair top 710 is adapted to connect to either 1) the removable apron730, 2) the leg extenders 750, or 3) the chair legs 720, depending uponthe desired height for the seat of the chair. Further, when the chairtop 710 is connected to the removable apron, the removable apron 730 maybe connected to either the leg extenders or directly to the chair legs,depending upon the desired height. Further configuration options areillustrated below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the use of both the apron 730 and leg extenders 750increases the height of the chair top 710 relative to the supportingsurface on which the adjustable height chair is positioned to a heightgreater than the height obtained by employing the apron 730 or the legextender 750 alone. The leg extenders 750 and apron 730 performsimilarly to the leg extenders and apron illustrated above.

FIG. 8 illustrates three alternative configuration options for theadjustable height chair. In addition to the embodiment of FIG. 7, whichpositions the seat at the highest vertical extent, the three embodimentsof FIG. 8 may position the seat at a variety of vertical positions. In afirst embodiment 801, the chair top 710 is connected directly to the legextenders, which are then connected directly to the legs 720. In asecond embodiment 802, the chair top 710 is directly connected to theapron 730, which is then directly connected to the legs 720. In a thirdembodiment, the chair top 710 is directly connected to the legs 720.

In any configuration, a set and chair back similar to the seat 310 andchair back 320 of FIG. 3 may be attached to the chair top 710 in orderto complete the chair.

FIG. 9 illustrates the adjustable height chair of FIG. 7 as assembledwith the apron 730 installed between the chair top 710 and leg extenders750, and the get extenders 750 installed between the apron 730 and legs720. Also shown are the fasteners 910 installed though leg fastenerapertures 727, the leg extender fastener apertures 757, and the apronfastener apertures 777.

Although an embodiment above have been presented using a chair seat thatis fixed to the chair top, the chair seat may alternatively include aswivel mechanism to allow the chair seat and/or chair back to swivelrelative to the chair top.

Alternatively, although an embodiment above presented a design with asingle apron, multiple aprons may be employed. Similar to the employmentof multiple leg extenders, the multiple aprons may be stackable so thatmore than one is used at the same time and/or may replace one anotherand be used one at a time.

Also, in certain embodiments the seat, the apron, the legs, and the legextensions, and/or other elements may be composed of any rigid materialsuch as steel, wood, or plastic.

Alternatively, certain embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented on other furniture articles such as tables, chairs, bars,cabinets, or dressers, ottomans, and plant stands.

While the invention has been described with reference to certainembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from its scope.Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to theparticular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include allembodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

1. An adjustable height chair including: a chair top, wherein said chairtop is adapted to connect to one of a leg set and a leg extender; a legextender set, wherein said leg extender set is adapted to connect tosaid chair top and said leg set; and a leg set, wherein said leg set isadapted to connect to one of said chair top and said leg extender,wherein said chair top is adapted to be positioned at a first verticalheight relative to a supporting surface by connecting said chair topdirectly to said leg set, wherein said chair top is adapted to bepositioned at a second vertical height relative to said supportingsurface by connecting said chair to said leg extender set and connectingsaid leg extender to said leg set.
 2. The adjustable height chair ofclaim 1, wherein said chair top is adapted to directly connect to one ofa leg set and a leg extender.
 3. The adjustable height chair of claim 1,wherein said leg extender is adapted to directly connect to said chairtop and said leg set.
 4. The adjustable height chair of claim 1, whereinsaid leg set is adapted to directly connect to one of said chair top andsaid leg extender.
 5. The adjustable height chair of claim 1, whereinsaid leg extender is adapted to be positioned between said chair top andsaid leg set.
 6. The adjustable height chair of claim 1, wherein saidleg extender is adapted to be positioned between said leg set and saidsupporting surface.
 7. The adjustable height chair of claim 1 furtherincluding a second leg extender set, wherein said second leg extenderset is adapted to be positioned between either said chair top and saidleg extender set or said leg extender set and said leg set.
 8. Theadjustable height chair of claim 1 further including a second legextender set, wherein only one of said leg extender set and said secondleg extender set is positioned between said chair top and said legs setat any one time.
 9. The adjustable height chair of claim 1 furtherincluding an apron, wherein said apron is adapted to connect betweeneither said chair top and said leg extender set or between said legextender set and said leg set.
 10. The adjustable height chair of claim1, wherein said leg extender includes a leg extender fastener aperture.11. The adjustable height chair of claim 1, wherein said leg setincludes a leg fastener aperture.
 12. The adjustable height chair ofclaim 1, wherein said chair top includes an insert element, wherein saidleg extender includes an insert aperture, and wherein said chair topinsert element is adapted to be introduced into said leg extender insertaperture.
 13. An adjustable height chair including: a chair top, whereinsaid chair top is adapted to connect to one of a leg set and an apron;an apron, wherein said apron is adapted to connect to said chair top andsaid leg set; and a leg set, wherein said leg set is adapted to connectto one of said chair top and said apron, wherein said chair top isadapted to be positioned at a first vertical height relative to asupporting surface by connecting said chair top directly to said legset, wherein said chair top is adapted to be positioned at a secondvertical height relative to said supporting surface by connecting saidchair to said apron and connecting said apron to said leg set.
 14. Theadjustable height chair of claim 13, wherein said chair top is adaptedto directly connect to one of a leg set and an apron.
 15. The adjustableheight chair of claim 13, wherein said apron is adapted to directlyconnect to said chair top and said leg set.
 16. The adjustable heightchair of claim 13, wherein said leg set is adapted to directly connectto one of said chair top and said apron.
 17. The adjustable height chairof claim 13, wherein said chair top includes a fastening aperture. 18.The adjustable height chair of claim 13, wherein said apron includes afastening aperture.
 19. The adjustable height chair of claim 13, whereinsaid leg set includes a fastening aperture.
 20. An adjustable heightchair including: a chair top, wherein said chair top is adapted toconnect to one of a leg set and a height extender; a height extender,wherein said height extender is adapted to connect to said chair top andsaid leg set; and a leg set, wherein said leg set is adapted to connectto one of said chair top and said height extender, wherein said chairtop is adapted to be positioned at a first vertical height relative to asupporting surface by connecting said chair top directly to said legset, wherein said chair top is adapted to be positioned at a secondvertical height relative to said supporting surface by connecting saidchair to said height extender and connecting said height extender tosaid leg set.